X-ray protective device



Oct. 12, 1948. A. H. FEIBEL 2,451,282

XRAY PROTECTIVE DEVICE Filed Dec. 16, 1943 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 grvOcm/ M W N W GIMME Oct. 12, 1948.

Filed Dec. 16, 1945 A. H. FEIBEL 2,451,282

X-RAY PROTECTIVE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 whoa/mag;

Patented (lot. 12, 1948 EJSNH'LED STATES PATENT QFEIQE.

X-EAY PROTECTIVE DEVICE Adolph H. Feibel,()incinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Kelley-Koett Manufacturing 00.,

Inc,

Covington, Ky, a corporation of Ohio Application December 16, 1943, Serial No. 514,473

example to operators who are apt to be exposed to the direct rays and also to indirectly disseminated rays. Although X-ray machines today are provided with various protective linings, eta, nevertheless there is always the danger that an operator over aprolonged period ma be injured through over exposureas stated. The present invention, therefore, has to do with an apron, to be worn by the operator, which is such as to add substantially to the protection afforded the oporator against X-rayemanations.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide such an apron which is of unusual effectivcness in protecting the operator; and also which may be simply and readily adjusted to fit operators of difierent sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apron constructed so that when the supporting means therefor has been adjusted to fit an operator, it may be readily put on and removed in a simple way and without the necessity of varying its desired adjustable setting.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apron in which a substantial portion of the weight is carried by the operatorships rather than his shoulders.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the descriptionand claims hereinafter set out, and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic representation of the apron of this invention illustrated in position upon an operator;

Fig. 2 is a front view of theapron showing the supporting straps, and adjustable and strap connecting means;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side eleva tion of the apron and its supporting straps and adjustable means;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along the line 4'1 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, with certain parts bein shown in elevation to more clearly show certain details of construction.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing the body of the apron i3 is of such .form that when in position on the operator it extends over those portions of thetoperators body, including the torso, which will be most likelyto receive any direct or disseminate. X-ray emanations; The body of the apron consists of a sheetv of natural rubber. or syntheticmaterial (suchas Buna S synthetic rubber) .properly leaded to act adequately to intercept Xerays e-ianating directly or indirectly from'themachine.

Connected to the upper end of the apron for supporting it are 'twozstrapsof. flexible material, such as canvas'webbing or other textile strap -material strong enough to support therheavy leaded apron body each strap being designated by the numeral-l5, which. straps pass over :the'operators shoulders and cross each other at-the back in somewhat the'arrangement of a pair of suspenders. Whereeach of these straps 5 is connected to the apron, the straps, as shown, are

folded at the end which is to be connected, in the manner indicated in the enlarged section in Fig. 4. Each strap [5 is folded upon itself to provide a double thickness as indicated b 'the numeral l5 and the overturned portion'providing this double thickness is of sufiicient length so that it may be again folded upon itself as indicated at ll so that the portion l1 and thedouble portion [5 may'receive between them the-endof the apron l 0 to which each strap is to be-fastened. The straps, :asthus folded, are fastened to the apron Hi as by sewing, the fastening stitches'passing through leaded apron 10 as well as through the three layers of the strap which include the double folded portions !6 and H. As such stitching might leave small openings which would pass completely through the points of connection of the straps to the apron; a-section123 of leaded rubber, or other such effective shielding material, is cemented to the inside of the-apron so as to completely overlie allot the stitched'portions'o'f each strap connection with the apron and thus prevent passage of X-rays through the stitching openings in this strap connection zone.- Furthermore, as so connected, with the three thicknesses of strap connected to the apron, upon its inner and also its outer sides as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. the upward pull of the straps on the supporting apron will be exerted from both the front and back sides of the apron to thus more securely and effectively support the very heavy leaded apron.

Fastened to the apron portion ill at positions adjacent or just above the hips of the wearer or operator are rivets 22 each having a protruding portion with an enlarged head 13 to receive a fastening loop shown as a slidablermetal loop membertzi having across bar 25 to provide two large openings through which the strap may be adjustably passed, said loop member 24 serving to hold the strap in properly adjusted position during use.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5 this rivet 22 extends through aligned openings in two washers designated by the numerals 26-26, which are placed upon opposite sides of the body portion of the apron l and through a corresponding opening in the apron itself. Upon the inside or back side of the apron is a section or disc 21 of protective material, such as that in the apron body, which is cemented to the apron H] to completelyclose over the openings in which the rivet 22 is positioned and which likewise serves to hold the washer 26' and the covered end of the rivet 22 firml in place.

A corresponding portion or disc 28 is fastened to the outside or front of the apron with an opening through which the rivet passes, to hold the washer 26 in place and to assist in adequately securing this rivet 22 and holding it in place against the strains due to the weight of the apron and its use.

Each strap is slidably mounted to pass through its corresponding loop receiving member, and around one of the outer bars thereof indicated at 25 and the cross bar 25 thereof, and the member 24 has one of its outside bars 25 movably held within a connecting loop 30 formed by a double strap portion the two adjacent ends of which are indicated by the numeral 3|, and which in turn have openings therein which receive the rivet 22 with the head 23 thereof held thereagainst, whereby the rivet holds the double strap portion 3i to the apron which in turn holds the loop member 24 in place. This illustrates a simple construction for affixing the loop member 24 at the proper places on the apron to be adjacent the hips of the operator and to permit of passing the strap therethrough and doubling it back upon itself in the manner above described.

For purposes of simplicity in description a portion of the strap which.passes through and is doubled back upon itself, and which represents I the opposite end of the strap from that which. is attached at the top of the apron is indicated by the numeral 32, the main portion of the strap which'passes through the loop member zll'being indicated by the numeral as shown particularly in Fig. 3. The endof the portion 32 of the strap is looped over the center bar 33 of a buckle on slidably adjustable member 34, the looped over portions of the strap being riveted or sewed or otherwise adequately secured together at 36 to fasten this member 34 to this end portion 32 of the strap, andgthe main portion of the strap l5 referred to passing through this buckle so that by moving the buckle along the portion I 5 and moving the strap also through the loop member 24 the effective length f the strap may be adjusted as desired. The slide member or buckle 34 is provided with suitable means to permit ready movement of the buckle with respect to the portion l5 of the strap and also to aflix the buckle sufficiently to hold it in that position for a more or less extended period. As shown in the drawing this is accomplished by means of a slidable toothed crosspiece 35, which may be moved to such position that as the weight of the apron tends to pull down it will cause the toothed member to hold against the strap portion I5 and prevent slip but which will also readily release when the pull is changed so that the strap may be lengthened or shortened as desired. By means 4 of this arrangement each strap may be length ened or shortened to fit the operator, his height and weight, etc. The illustrative form of slide member or buckle for permitting ready adjusting movement of the end of each strap portion 32 with respect to the main body portions 15 and I5 of the strap is shown as constructed for permitting ready adjustment but firmly clamping and holding the two parts of the strap inany selected adjusted position, to give desired length, with, the very considerable weight of the leaded apron being suliicient to hold the clamping portions firmly in adjusted position. Because of the great weight of the leaded apron it is desirable that the adjustments may be such that it will fit the operator most satisfactorily and most comfortably, and the type of construction illustrated permits of adjustment to any desired position and firmly holding the parts 32 and l5-l5in that position with the weight of the apron assuring tight clamping or holding of the parts. Also this construction permits adjustment to any desired position to suit the body requirements.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, the

member 3A is a rectangular looped member, such as can readily be made from a metal stamping,

bent in angular form as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The open space within the. member 34 is provided with a cross bar 33, positioned approximately at the position of angular bend, about which the free end of the portion 32 of the strap is looped and then stitched orotherwise fastened to the portion 32 as indicated at 36, thus connecting the member 3 4 to theend of the portion 32 of the strap. The upper'end of the member 32, as shownin Fig. 2 is preferably serrated across its inside edge along the top of the opening in the member 34, these. serrations or teeth 49 serving to bite into theportion i5l5' of the strap under pull, such as that which is occasioned by the Weight of the very heavy leaded apron.

The member 35 may also be a formed metal portion having an opening stamped outof the flat portion, through which the portion tE-ltl' of the strap passes and may be adjusted with respect to the member 3 3. This cross member, the bottom of which is indicated in Fig. 2 by the dotted line H which marks the bottom of the member 35, has its upper edge preferably serrated to provide teeth, and as these teeth, in the position shown in Fig. 2, are approximately behind the teeth 40 at the top of the member 35, they are not shown in Fig. 2.

This member 35 has portions 35' on each side, which may be formed by bending the sheet metal of which the member 35 is formed so that they slidably embrace the side pieces of the member 34 to permit movement of the member 35 in either direction with respect to the member 34. The overturned portion 43 at the top of the member 35 is primarily to provide a curved portion on the side toward the strap portion I5l 5 to permit more ready movement and adjustment adjusted position being ,ingedge to bathe member 3d, around the cross 3 .barv -33, and then throughthe lower opening and .below the-lower end -.or cross piece 44 of the -member- 34. =And having been looped through the.-.member; 34, the free end is then passed throughthe lower opening of the member 34,

around the cross bar {53 and between the :cross bar. 83; and portions I5 of the strap and is then looped downwardly and the end overturned as .shown :and fastened to the strap portion 32 so that theyparts, are held together.

:thestrap which passes through the loop member -24, ,givesa construction whereby the parts will not become lost and whereby suitable fixity and strength of the various parts are .provided to v sustain-the heavy leaded apron. When it is .desiredto'eilect adjustment the operator moves .theparts 34 and 35 to bring the teeth out of holding relation and the portion l5-.l5 of the strap may then be moved freely with respect'to the members. 34 .and 35.

-S1idably mounted upon each strap, in the doubled portion extending beyond the, loop mem- -ber 24 is apart of a clasp orconnecting member,

zone of these parts 3'! having provisions such as;

a hook member which may be readily'inserted and fastened into the other part 3? of the clasp, the

free ends of the strap members which are shown in -depending position in Fig. 2, and in elevated,

.intermediate position :in Fig. 3 being held -coni .nected togetherin substantiallyhorizontal position across the back of the operator adjacent the .waistline when these two members of the clasp are connected.

-When thelength of tliestrapshas. been adjusted to suit the particular operatorthe apron can be readily put on or taken 01f over'the head of the operator asthe total length of strap avail- .able on each side and across-theoperators-back ,between the loopmembers 25 is such that the straps may slide through these loops to permit of readily loosening the straps by thus varying the-length as may be required to accomplish this.

And,,.as shown, the straps come through from acrossthe operators back through theloop-mem- .berss'lt and then out over'the back of the-user ofjthe apron thus producing a self-locking effect, .due to friction; of the strap faces against each other and the angular pull at the loop members 24.

The doubled-portions of each strap over the cross-bars..225 prevent the straps fromslipping out of theloop members 25, and also the respective claspmembers 3'5 and 3? are preferably of such over-all dimensions that they will not pass through the openings in the member 26 and thus the properly adjusted supportingzstraps maybe retained in the desired arrangement and the clasp members may be readily clasped or unclasped'and the apron readily removed without any danger of the straps pulling through the loop member 24 or getting out of adjustment.

.By this arrangement whereby the adjustable member 34 is upon the one end of the strap porition 3zand thevariable length portion :15. of-the This ar- .rangement, together with the looped portion of strap passes through such-members 64 :tabeiheld ini adjusted position therein-- .bllflrilOt @removable therefrom a loop of-strap is provided which passes around the -bars.:25'-25- and themember 34 is :of such'sizethat it cannot pass through-the openings in the" loop member 24. Therefore-the parts having once-:beenso assembledcan be freely adjusted to fit it-he size-of ithe operation-can be clasped or unclasped, to permit; of the operator readily putting theapron on .or takingit off with ample length of-strap to-facilitate this, and also with thearrangement suchq-that the member-34 1 can. be l'eftin adjusted position, or even ,if-"it should come loose-nevertheless the generalrar- 'rangement and adjustability of the parts would be retained and it would be a very simple matter for the operator to-read-just either or-botholi the members 34, as desired; to secure the: desired strap length.

.While. :'1Jh 5 device ;-herein described :oonstitutes a preferred-embodiment, of the invention, :it is to be understood that the invention -is not limited tothis precise form, ofedevice and-athat changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which isdcfined in the-appended claims.

What is :claimed is: 1.-An X-ray protective-apron comprising: a body portioncomposed of a flexible material-resistantto- X-raypenetration, straps-forsupporting said apron from the shoulders of, the operator, each strap having one end-thereof connected adjacent one side of the upper end of therapron, a strap supporting loopemem ber connected adjacent each side of the apron to lie approximately at the waistline-of the operator. when-in-use, each .of said. attachedstraps passingdiagonally across and being .loopedthrough the supporting loop member at the opposite edge of the apron body, the free end of said strap having attached thereto an adjustable member which slidably receives the main portion of the strap and has meansfor holding the adjustable memberin adjusted position on said main portion of the strap, a clasp member slidably mounted, between. the over-turned portions of the strap beyond the supporting loop memberof eachstrap, said clasp members being constructed so that theymay be readily connected and disconnected when the doubled portions of the two straps are pulled into substantially horizontal position across the back of the operator, and each said buckle and each said clasp member being of such dimensionsthat it will not pass through said supporting loop member whereby the effective length of the supporting strap may be varied but the strap will be permanently affixed atthe top of the apron and afiixed in slidable relation throughthe 00- operating loop at-the side of the apron.

2-. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron-from'the shoulders of the operaton-means carried by the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving the straps in spaced apart position, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective :ends of said straps for-con-necting-said straps across the o'perators back, and means for adjusting the length of-said straps according'to the size of the operator.

, 3..An. X-ra protective apron comprising abody portionacomposed of a flexible *materialresistant to X-ray penetration-straps for supportingsaid apron fromxthe shouldersof-the operator, -mean's married =byrthe body? portion of the: apron fonslidcooperating clasp members carried by the respective ends of said straps for connecting said straps across the operator's back, and means for adjusting the length of each of said straps and including an adjustable member affixed to one end of the strap and adjustable with respect to the cooperating part of the main portion of the strap.

4. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ra penetration, straps for supporting said apron-from the shoulders of the operator, each strap having one end thereof connected adjacent one side of the upper end of the apron, a strap supporting loop member connected adjacent each side of the apron, each of said attached straps passing diagonally across the other and being looped through one of said supporting loop members at the opposite edge of the apron body, adiustable means connected to the free end of each said strap and having means for slidably receiving the main portion thereof and comprising means constructed to hold said straps and adjustable means in a fixed adjusted position or to release them for guided slidable movement of the strap and holding means to vary the length of the strap to fit the size of the operator, and a clasp member slidably positioned in the doubled portion of each of the said straps, said clasp members being constructed for connection to hold the doubled portions of the two straps in substantially horizontal position across the back of the operator.

5. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, each strap having one end thereof connected adjacent one side of the upper end of the apron, a strap supporting 100p member connected adjacent each side of the apron, each of said attached straps passing across the other and being looped through the supporting loop member at the opposite edge of the body whereby the straps cross the operators back diagonally when in use, adjustable means carried by the end of each of the straps beyond the looped portion which is doubled through the supporting loop member therefor, and having means constructed for adjustably receiving the main portion of the strap and coopcrating means for holding the main portion and said end portion of the strap in adjusted position to fit the body of the operator, a clasp member slidably mounted within the doubled portion of each of said straps said clasp members being constructed for cooperative connection to hold the doubled ends of the two straps together in substantiall horizontal position across the back of the operator, and each clasp member being constructed to provide stop means for cooperating with a stop portion of the cooperating loop memher for preventing the doubled end of each strap from passing through its said supporting loop member when the clasp members are unfastened.

6. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, means carried by'the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving looped portions of the straps in spaced apart position, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped and portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the operators back, and means for adjusting the length of said straps according to the size of the operator. V

7. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, strap retaining means carried by the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving looped portions of the strap in spaced apart position and comprising means for guiding the straps in slidably adjustable relation and means for limiting movement of the straps'therein,-cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped end portions of said straps having cooperating means thereon for connecting said straps across the ,operators back, and means for adjusting the length of each said strap according to the size of the operator, said clasp means being constructed for engagement with said strap're- 'tainin means at a predetermined end of range of slidable movement of the strap to prevent withdrawal of each strap from its respective slidable supporting member when the clasp members are disconnected.

8. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, means carried by the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving looped portions of the straps in spaced apart position, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped end portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the operators back, and means'for adjusting the length including an adjustable member affixed to the end of the strap in the looped portion and adjustable with respect to the cooperating part of the main portion of the strap.

9. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, each strap having one end thereof connected adjacent one side of the upper end of the apron, a strap supporting loop member connected adjacent each side of the apron, each of said attached straps passing across the other and being looped through a supporting loop member at the opposite edge of the apron body, adjustable means connecting the free end of said strap to the main portion thereof to provide a doubled portion and constructed to vary the length of the strap to fit the size of the operator, and a clasp member slidably positioned in the doubled portion of each said strap, said clasp members being constructed for connection to hold, the doubled portions of the two straps in substantially horizontal position across the back of the operator.

10. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, traps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, means carried by the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving looped portions of the straps in spaced apart position; means resistant to X-ray penetration for preventing X-ray penetration through said apron at the place'of attachment of said means, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped end portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the operators back, and means for adjusting the length of said straps according to the size of the operator.

11. An X-ray protective apron comprising a 9 body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, means carried by the body portion of the apron for slidably receiving looped portions of the straps in spaced apart position, said means comprising stiff discs affixed on opposite sides of said apron body and means resistant to X-ray penetration for covering; over said discs to prevent X-ray penetration through said apron body at the place of attachment of said discs, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped end portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the operators back, and means for adjustin the length of said straps according to the siZe of the operator, said clasp means being constructed to prevent withdrawal of each strap from its respective slidable supporting member when the clasp members are disconnected.

12. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps for supporting said apron from the shoulders of the operator, means resistant to X-ray penetration covering over the place of attachment of said straps with the apron top, means carried by the body portion of the aprn for slidably receiving looped portions of the straps in spaced apart position, cooperating clasp members carried by the respective looped end portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the operator back, and means for adjusting the length including an adjustable member afiixed to the end of the strap in the looped portion and adjustable with respect to the cooperating part of the main portion of the strap.

13. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, straps supporting said apron from the shoulder of the operator, strap retaining means carried by the body portion of the apron for receiving said straps in spaced apart position and including means for guiding said straps in slidably adjustable relation, means for adjusting the length of said straps according to the size of the operator, a. portion of each of said straps being looped over its respective retaining means and secured to said adjusting means to prevent withdrawal thereof from said retaining means, and cooperating clasp members carried by said looped portions of said straps for connecting said straps across the back of the operator.

14. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, a pair of supporting straps each connected at one end to the top of said body portion and adapted to pass over the shoulders of the wearer of said apron, cooperating clasp members carried by said straps at positions spaced from said connected ends thereof for releasably coupling said straps together, and means carried by said body portion at positions adjacent the hips of the wearer for connecting each of said straps to said body portion at a point between said connected end thereof and said clasp member thereon to cause a substantial portion of the weight of said apron to be carried by the hips rather than the shoulders of the wearer.

15. An X-ray protective apron comprising a body portion composed of a flexible material resistant to X-ray penetration, a pair of supporting straps each connected at one end to the top of said body portion and adapted to pass over the shoulders of the wearer of said apron, cooperating clasp members carried by said straps at positions spaced from said connected ends thereof for releasably coupling said straps together, means carried by each of said straps between said connected end thereof and said clasp member thereon for adjusting the effective lengths of said straps, and means carried by said body portion at positions adjacent the hips of the wearer for connecting each of said straps to said body portion at a point between said connected end thereof and said clasp member thereon to cause a substantial portion of the weight of said apron to be carried by the hips rather than the shoulders of said wearer.

ADOLPH H. FEIBEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 456,969 Sholl Aug. 4, 1891 681,618 Ciegler Aug. 27, 1901 1,636,419 Hollander July 19, 1927 2,083,790 McGuire June 15, 1937 2,115,396

Quinn Apr. 26, 1938 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,451,282. October 12, 1948.

ADOLPH H. FEIBEL It is hereby certified that errors appear in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

In the grant, lines 2 and 13, and in the heading to the printed specification, line 4, for The Kelley-Koett Manufacturing 00., Inc. read The Kelley-Koett Manufeaturing Company; column 3, line 53, for buckle on read buckle or; column 5, line 14, for the numeral 34 read 24; column 8, line 9, claim 7, for the word strap read straps; I

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of March, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssio'ner of Patents. 

